Iran’s Supreme Leader Distances Himself from U.S. Agreement

Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, has distanced himself from the recent agreement with the United States. He placed the responsibility for the deal on Iran’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, and emphasized that it does not mean yielding to U.S. demands.

Photos of Mojtaba Khamenei were displayed during a memorial in Tehran for war victims in May. In his first public remarks about the deal, Khamenei stated he assented to the agreement but did not support signing it ‘as a matter of principle.’ The agreement offers Iran significant economic benefits while postponing nuclear program negotiations.

Khamenei explained his authorization by stating President Pezeshkian accepted responsibility and promised to defend the rights of Iranians and the ‘resistance front,’ likely referring to Hezbollah. He added Pezeshkian would not comply with excessive American demands.

Khamenei expressed appreciation for Iran’s diplomats while criticizing President Trump, saying Trump agreed to the deal ‘out of desperation.’ Ultimately, Khamenei shifted accountability to Iran’s elected officials. Iran’s government combines elected bodies with limited power and theocratic elements led by the supreme leader.